Manual 35mm SLR Camera Controls A single-lens reflex camera (SLR) typically uses a mirror and prism system (hence "reflex", from the mirror's reflection) that permits the photographer to view through the lens and see exactly what will be captured, contrary to viewfinder cameras where the image could be significantly different from what will be captured.
Single Lens Reflex
35mm SLR Camera - Front
Film Speed Shutter Ring Direct X Contact Speed and Hot Shoe or Accessory Shoe Shutter Shutter Release Button Dial Indicator Lens Speed Film Rewind Crank (ISO) Mount Film-Advance Lever Indicator Film Rewind Knob Frame Counter Camera back lock lever Label The Controls (Front) Sync terminal Lens Release Button Grip Depth of Field Preview Button Depth of Field Guide Self Timer Switch Aperture Dial Focusing Dial
Opening the Camera Back Push the camera back lock lever counterclockwise while lifting the film rewind knob. The camera back will pop open.
35mm SLR Camera - Back
Label The Controls (Back) Film Rewind Shaft Film Chamber View-Finder Eyepiece Shutter Curtain Battery Compartment Tripod Mount Socket Film Rewind Release Button Sprocket Wheel Film Take-Up Spool Camera Back
How To Load/Unload 35mm Film
Setting the ISO (Film Speed) Lift the film speed ring and rotate it in either direction until the red ISO film speed indicator is opposite the ISO film speed required. Unless the film speed is set correctly you cannot obtain the correct exposure.
Setting the Correct Exposure Pull out the film advance lever to unlock the shutter release button. This lever doubles as a shutter release lock. Press the shutter release button lightly to switch the exposure meter on while looking through the viewfinder. If one or two of the red indicator lamps inside light up the meter is operating normally. The indicator will not light up in B (Bulb) mode or if the batteries need replacing.
Setting the Correct Exposure Position your main subject at the centre of the field of view inside the viewfinder. Then turn the shutter speed dial and/or lens aperture ring until the LED lamp for the symbol for correct exposure O lights up. Overexposure (too much light) is indicated by a + and underexposure (not enough light) is indicated by a symbol.
Focusing The FM2 is provided with the Type K2 focusing screen as standard. Look through the viewfinder while turning the focusing ring until the two halves of the split image coincide perfectly to form a single unbroken image and the image in the microprism grid appears sharp. Correct focus will then be secured.
Shooting Look through the viewfinder and depress the shutter release button to take a shot. Wind the film advance lever as far as it will go to transport the film to the next frame ready for the next shot. Do not apply excessive pressure when winding the lever. You cannot wind the lever when the film is at the end. After the last exposure has been made, turn the camera upside down and press the film rewind button, so that the exposed film can be rewound.
Exposure Triangle Noise/Grain
Film Speed (ISO) Film speed is the measure of a photographic film's sensitivity to light, determined by sensitometry and measured on various numerical scales, the most recent being the ISO system. Digital camera sensors measure ISO in the same way as film. In traditional (film) photography ISO (or ASA) is the indication of how sensitive a film is to light. It is measured in numbers (you ve probably seen them on films 100, 200, 400, 800 etc). The lower the number the lower the sensitivity of the film and the finer the grain in the shots you re taking. In Digital Photography ISO measures the sensitivity of the image sensor. The same principles apply as in film photography the lower the number the less sensitive your camera is to light and the less noise is visible.
Aperture In optics, an aperture is a hole or an opening through which light travels.
Shutter Speed In photography, shutter speed or exposure time is the length of time a camera's shutter is open when taking a photograph.
Aperture & Shutter Speed
Depth of Field (DOF) In optics, particularly as it relates to film and photography, depth of field (DOF) is the distance between the nearest and farthest objects in a scene that appear acceptably sharp in an image.
Depth Of Field Example
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